Category: Irish American Football League

May 15, 2020October 29, 2023

Cork Admirals Irish American Football Team Roster and Match Reports 2007

Final Standings IAFL South

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
IAFL South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	7	1	0	299	70	14
*Cork Admirals	8	6	2	0	327	70	12
Tallaght Outlaws	8	0	8	0	18	389	0

Irish American Football League Standings 2007 [Ref: 2]

Results 2007

Week	Date	H/A	Versus	W/L	Score
1	25.03.2007	A	Belfast Bulls	W	13-6
3	15.04.2007	A	University of Limerick Vikings	W	30-0
5	29.04.2007	A	Dublin Rebels	L	26-28
6	06.05.2007	H	University of Limerick Vikings	L	20-36
8	03.06.2007	H	Tallaght Outlaws	W	30-0
9	10.06.2007	H	Dublin City University Saints	W	64-0
10	17.06.2007	H	Belfast Trojans	W	60-0
12	01.07.2007	H	Tallaght Oulaws	W	84-0
WC	15.07.2007	H	Belfast Trojans	W	30-0
SF	22.07.2007	A	Dublin Rebels	W	8-6
SBXXI	29.07.2007	UL	University of Limerick Vikings	L	14-22

Cork Admirals Irish American Football Team Results 2007 [Ref: 2]

Home Venue – Pfizers Sports Club Ringaskiddy, Cork

https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2465.4840129529834!2d-8.354388084330127!3d51.83385567969009!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x484483f465b57d4f%3A0x49b1cd55585cfb9!2sPfizer%20Sports%20Club!5e0!3m2!1sen!2sie!4v1589540714029!5m2!1sen!2sie

Shamrock Bowl XXI

Shamrock Bowl XXI Logo [Ref: 3]

29 July 2007 – University of Limerick Vikings 22 Cork Admirals 14

Seamus Hogan, who scored two touchdowns, won the Most Valuable Player Award in the Irish American Football League Shamrock Bowl XXI in 2007, as the University of Limerick Vikings beat the Cork Admirals 22-14 in a close Munster Derby.

Cork had a great start with kick returner David Barry returned the opening kickoff well into Limerick territory. They were stopped short of the goal-line, however, as were the Vikings on the next drive. On their next possession the Cork Admirals got into good field position following a 40 yard draw play by full back Alain Pezeron, leaving them on first and goal on the 3 yard line, which Keith O’Callaghan capitalized on with a 3-yard rushing touchdown for the first score of the game. Pezeron converted for two points.

The vikings got back into the game immediately, with Quarterback Chris Bassitt driving them downfield, helped by Running Backs Andrew Gordan and Seamus Hogan. Hogan got the equalizing touchdown, with a 5-yard run up the middle, converted for two points by Bassitt. The second quarter was scoreless as both defenses held the opposing offense, with good defensive plays by Vikings defenders Eoin O’Sullivan, Declan O’Donnell, Damien Laffan and Alan O’Carroll. The Admirals defensive line of Marcus Gates, Ross McCullough and Barry Rea forced a number of tackles for losses. The Vikings got the first turnover of the day with less than 5 minutes to go to halftime, when their defensive back intercepted the ball, however, they missed the resulting field goal, leaving the score 8-8 at half-time.

The first play from scrimmage of the second half yielded the second turnover of the day, as Admirals linebacker Martin Mulvey recovered a Vikings fumble to leave them in good field position on the Vikings 20-yard line. Shortly afterwards, the Admirals went 14-8 up as Quarterback David Lomansey connected with Wide Receiver Dominic MacHale for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Limerick then drove deep into Admirals territory, but a fierce goalmouth stand for the Cork side on their own 5-yard line prevented the Vikings from scoring. The Vikings defense, however, ensured their offense got another chance before the quarter was out, as they forced the Admirals to punt, giving the UL offense the ball at midfield. Through runs by Bassitt and Gordon they got to the 10-yard line, where Seamus Hogan scored his second running touchdown, on a draw play up the middle, pushing the ball over the goal-line as the Admirals defenders attempted to tackle him. The Single Point Kick conversion put the Vikings 15-14 up at the end of the third quarter.

Again the Vikings defense forced the Admirals to punt early in the fourth quarter, and in the ensuing drive, the Vikings went to the air with a long pass from Quarterback Bassitt to Wide Receiver Marc Ashworth, setting up MVP Seamus Hogan for his third touchdown of the day, as a he scored on a 5-yard sweep to the right. again the conversion kick was good to put the Vikings 22-14 up. The game was not over yet, however, and the Admirals drove to the Vikings two-yard line on the next drive. In the best defensive performance of the day, the Vikings held, the Admirals on all four downs, and the Vikings punted on their next possession having failed to run out the clock. The punt pinned the Cork side deep in their own territory, and while they picked up a couple of first downs, were stopped on fourth down with less than 30 seconds left. The Vikings could then celebrate their first ever Shamrock Bowl win. [Ref: 4]

At UL Sports Grounds, Limerick	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Total
Cork Admirals	8	0	6	0	14
University of Limerick Vikings	8	0	7	7	22

IAFL Shamrock Bowl XXI Box-Score 2007 [Ref: 4]

Team	Scorers	Score
	1st Quarter
COR	Keith O’Callaghan 3yd Run (Alain Pezeron 2xpt)	8-0
ULV	Seamus Hogan 5yd Run (Chris Bassitt 2xpt)	8-8
	2nd Quarter
	No Scoring	8-8
	3rd Quarter
COR	Dominic MacHale 30yd Pass from David Lomansey	14-8
ULV	Seamus Hogan 10yd Run (1xpt)	14-15
	4th Quarter
ULV	Seamus Hogan 5yd Run (1xpt)	14-22

IAFL Shamrock Bowl XXI Scorers 2007 [Ref: 4]

Season Report

The Cork Admirals reached the Shamrock Bowl in 2007, losing to the University of Limerick Vikings 22-14. The season had started with wins over Belfast Bulls (13-6) and University of Limerick (30-0) before back-to-back defeats to Dublin Rebels (26-28) and the return game with the Vikings (20-36).

The Admirals regrouped after this, and won big against Tallaght Outlaws (30-0), Dublin City University Saints (64-0), Belfast Trojans (60-0) and Tallaght Outlaws (64-0), to leave them with a 6-2 Won-Loss Record, and a place in the Wild-Card Playoffs with the Belfast Trojans, where they won 30-0, before another close game with the Dublin Rebels in the Semi-Finals, which they won 8-6, letting in the first points in six games. Then followed the heartbreak of the Shamrock Bowl against the Vikings, with the two teams evenly matched over the season beforehand, the Vikings having the slight advantage of only one loss, and homefield advantage.

Cork Admirals’ Keith O’Callaghan (#34) scorer of the first touchdown in Shamrock Bowl XXI [Ref: 6]

Team Roster SB XXI 2007

Number	Name	Position
2	Chris O’Connor	Wide Receiver
5	Ger McGowan	Half Back
6	Robert Lee	Full Back
11	David Barry	Wide Receiver
13	Hugh McBratney	Tight End
14	Alain Pezeron	Full Back
15	Andy Hempel	Defensive Back
16	Keith Thornhill	Linebacker
17	Patrick du Boucher	Defensive Line / Tight End
20	Ibrahim Kadra	Linebacker
22	Rory O’Neill	Wide Receiver
23	Barry Rafferty	Defensive Back
29	John Duggan	Defensive Back
32	Peter Lucey	Defensive Back
34	Keith O’Callaghan	Half Back
36	John O’Sullivan	Defensive Back
38	Brian Murphy	Defensive Back
39	Linebacker	Donnacha Murphy
44	David Noonan	Wide Receiver
48	Martin Mulrey	Linebacker
50	Chris Gaughan	Offensive Line
53	Conor O’Sullivan	Offensive Line
58	John Koogler	Linebacker
60	Peter Glavin	Defensive Line
61	Ross McCullough	Defensive Line
62	James Lordan	Defensive Line
63	Robert Hennessey	Offensive Line
64	Kevin Casey	Offensive Line
67	Barry Rea	Defensive Line
68	Richard Bos	Offensive Line
69	Paul Buchanan	Defensive Line / Center
72	Roger McDonagh	Offensive Line
77	Marcus Gates	Defensive Line
81	Dominic McHale	Wide Receiver
82	David Lomansey	Quarterback
87	Paddy Keane	Wide Receiver

Cork Admirals Shamrock Bowl XXI 2007 Roster [Ref: 5]

Coaches

Name	Coaching Position
Alan Lomansey	Head Coach
Trevor O’Connell	Defensive Co-Ordinator
John Stokes	Defensive Backs Coach

Cork Admirals Shamrock Bowl XXI 2007 Coaching Roster [Ref: 7]

ECHO SPORT The Cork Admirals, Cork’s very own American Football team, at their Rookie Day in Kennedy Park yesterday. Picture: Damien Quirke

References

Websites

[2] Irish American Football Association (2007) 2007 LEAGUE TABLE, FIXTURES & RESULTS [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2007results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[4] Irish American Football Association (2007) SHAMROCK BOWL XXI REPORT[Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/sbxxireport.htm [Accessed 15 May 2020]

[5] Irish American Football Association (2007) Cork Admirals SB XXIRoster [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/sbxxiadmiralssroster.htm [Accessed 15 May 2020]

[7] Irish American Football Association (2007) Key Players [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/sbxxikeyplayers.htm [Accessed 15 May 2020]

Images

[1] Irish American Football Association (2017) Admirals Logo [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Admirals-PNG-1.png [Accessed 30 November 2018]

[6] Irish American Football Association (2007) Cork Admirals Keith O’Callaghan (#34) – scorer of the games first touchdown. [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/sbxxi0008.jpg [Accessed 15 May 2020]

[8] Irish American Football Association (2007) SBXXI Pics:Cork Admirals team picture. [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/admirals2007.jpg [Accessed 15 May 2020]

Acknowledgements

Michael O’Callaghan.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 15 May 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

May 6, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football League Preseason 1987

Preseason Standings

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
Tara Conference
Craigavon Cowboys	1	1	0	0	26	0	1.000
Belfast Spartans	1	0	1	0	13	14	.000
Bangor Buccaneers	2	0	2	0	2	33	.000
Dublin Celts	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Jordanstown Jaguars	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Belfast Giants	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Mourne Conference
East Side Jets	2	2	0	0	13	2	1.000
Carrickfergus Cougars	1	1	0	0	14	13	1.000
Aldergrove Hawks	1	0	1	0	0	6	.000
Dublin Tornadoes	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Belfast Blitzers	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Coleraine Chieftains	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000

Irish American Football League Preseason Standings 1987 [Ref: Compiled from 1-3]

Preseason Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	PS Week 1
	Aldergrove Hawks	0	East Side Jets	6
	PS Week 2
15.03.1987	East Side Jets	7	Bangor Buccaneers	2
	PS Week 3
05.04.1987	Craigavon Cowboys	26	Bangor Buccaneers	0
	PS Week 4
12.04.1987	Carrickfergus Cougars	14	Belfast Spartans	13

Irish American Football League Preseason Results 1987 [Ref: 1-3]

Report

The East Side Jets, from Castlereagh in East Belfast, made a successful start to their Irish American Football preseason, winning 6-0 on their debut against Aldergove Hawks, at RAF Aldergrove in Antrim, before defeating Bangor Buccaneers 7-2 on their home debut, with a fourth quarter touchdown from Mark Dunwoody, who ran in from 25 yards out.

The Craigavon Cowboys won 26-0 against Bangor Buccaneers, with Shamrock Bowl I MVP (Most Valuable Player) from 1986, Nigel Trimble scoring a 21-yard run, which John Mulally added to with a reception from QB Geoff Donaghy. There was a second passing TD in the second half as Brendan McAleese added a reception, and then Stanley Kingsmill finished off the scoring with a 9 yard run. McAleese also scored two extra points.

In the final Preseason match of 1987, Carrickfergus Cougars came from behind to defeat Belfast Spartans. Hollowell had put the Spartans 7-6 up with a TD which was converted, and then Hollowell put the Spartans further ahead with a second touchdown just after halftime. With only two minutes left on the clock, the Cougars struck back, with a TD, adding a two-point conversion, to lead 14-13, which they held despite a late Spartans drive, which left them in Field Goal position. the Cougars managed to block the FG, though, to seal the win.

References

[1] Anon. (1987) “Successful start by Belfast Jets” Belfast Telegraph. Tuesday, March 17, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[2] Anon. (1987) “Cowboys in runaway win” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 6, 1987. pg. 17 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[3] Anon. (1987) “Cougars hit back – snatch late victory” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, April 13, 1987. pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to David Turner & Billy Graham (Belfast Blitzers) and John Malone, Tony Meenaghan, Declan Mulvey & Paul O’Reilly.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 6 May 2020

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

April 30, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football Association Irish League and League of Ireland 1990

Table

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
NIAFA Irish League
Craigavon Cowboys	4	3	0	0	54	6	3	1	0	66	32	1.000
Belfast Spartans	3	2	1	0	26	23	2	1	0	12	15	.667
Coleraine Chieftains	1	0	1	0	0	36	0	1	0	0	36	.000
A26 Bulldogs	3	0	3	0	29	44	0	3	0	29	44	.000
Carrickfergus Cougars	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
ICAF League of Ireland
Bray Seahawks	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Dublin Tornadoes	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Lee Valley Steelers	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Independent
Dublin Celts	1	0	0	0	26	12	1	0	0	26	12	1.000

Irish American Football League Standings 1990 [Reference: Compiled from Results in 1-9]

Note: NIAFA = Northern Ireland American Football Association / ICAF = Irish Council of American Football

Legend: left-to-right: W-L-T-PF-PA (League) W-L-T-PF-PA (All Games)

Playoff Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
22.07.1990	Belfast Spartans	6	A26 Bulldogs	0
22.07.1990	Craigavon Cowboys	1	Carrickfergus Cougars	0#
	Irish League Final
11.08.1990	Craigavon Cowboys	31	Belfast Spartans	6

Irish American Football League Playoffs 1990 [Reference: 10-13]

Note: Craigavon defeated Belfast 54-3 in the 1990 Final according to the Lucky Show Website. First Down of 1 September 1990 has Craigavon defeating Belfast 31-6 in the Shamrock Bowl and meeting Dublin Celts on 1 September to decide who represented Ireland in the EuroBowl.

Craigavon Cowboys met Dublin Celts in Title Game to Decide All-Ireland Champions

Shamrock Bowl

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl V
1990	Dublin Celts	40	Craigavon Cowboys	0

Irish American Football Association Shamrock Bowl 1990 [Ref: 12]

Regular Season Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Week 1
06.05.1990	A26 Bulldogs	15	Belfast ECC Spartans	12 +
06.05.1990	Craigavon Cowboys	36	Coleraine Chieftains	0
	Week 2
12.05.1990	Craigavon Cowboys		Belfast Giants
13.05.1990	A26 Bulldogs	8	Belfast ECC Spartans	14
	Week 4
27.05.1900	Belfast ECC Spartans	L	Craigavon Cowboys	W
	Week 5
03.06.1990	A26 Bulldogs	6	Craigavon Cowboys	18
	Week 6
09.06.1990	A26 Bulldogs		Carrickfergus Cougars
10.06.1990	Craigavon Cowboys		Belfast Spartans
	Week 7
16.06.1990	Craigavon Cowboys		A26 Bulldogs

Irish American Football League – Irish League Results 1990 [Reference: 1-9]

Note: + Counts as a Belfast Spartans win due to Antrim Bulldogs decision to play Junior (Under 18) players in the game. # Forfeit

Independent Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Week 3
20.05.1990	Dublin Celts	26	Craigavon Cowboys	12

Irish American Football League Independent Results 1990 [Reference: 4; 8]

Report

The 1990 Irish American Football League season saw 12 teams proposed for an All-Ireland League at the start of the year, however, the Dublin Celts chose to play in the NCMMA (British Second Division) while also playing matches against Irish teams. The Republic of Ireland teams (Dublin Tornadoes, Bray Seahawks, Lee Valley Steelers, as well as teams in Limerick and Waterford) then chose not to play in the League in the absence of the Celts, leaving a five team Irish League in Northern Ireland. Whether the Republic of Ireland teams had their own league remains unknown – there is currently no evidence of one.

In the Irish League, the Craigavon Cowboys beat the Belfast Spartans 31-6 in the Final, after receiving a walkover from the Carrickfergus Cougars in the Semi-Finals, while in the other Semi-Final, the Belfast Spartans beat the A26 Bulldogs, from Antrim, 6-0. The Cowboys then went on to play the Celts in the Shamrock Bowl, a match which the Celts won 40-0.

Home Venues

Team	Home Venue
Shamrock Bowl	Goodyear, Craigavon
A26 Bulldogs	Allen Park, Antrim
Belfast Spartans	Newtownards Rugby Club
Carrickfergus Cougars
Coleraine Chieftains
Craigavon Cowboys	Goodyear, Craigavon

References

Sources

[1] Anon. (1990) “American Football double-header” Sunday Life May 6, 1990. pg. 59

[2] Anon. (1990) “American Football Column: Spartans in revenge bid” Sunday Life May 13, 1990. pg. 46

[3] Anon. (1990) “American Football” Sunday Life May 20, 1990. pg. 56

[4] Anon. (1990) “American Football: Junior game is on the up!” Sunday Life May 27, 1990. pg. 58

[5] Anon. (1990) “American Football: off form Bulldogs lack any real bite” Sunday Life June 3, 1990. pg. 46

[6] Traynor, Jonathan (1990) “Local League action hots up” Sunday Life June 10, 1990. pg. 42

[7] Anon. (1990) “Cowboys off to a good start” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 7 1990. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[8] Anon. (1990) “Spartans take revenge”Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 14 1990 pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[8] Anon. (1990) “Celts side stampede Cowboys”Belfast Telegraph. Monday, May 21 1990 pg. 21 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[9] Anon. (1990) “Cowboys take the bite out of Bulldogs” Belfast Telegraph. Monday, Monday, June 4 1990. pg. 18 [Internet] Available online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at: https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service.

[10] Anon. (1990) “American Football: Cowboys riding high..” Sunday Life August 5, 1990. pg. 43

[11] Anon. (1990) “Irish plan national squad for Euro bid” First Down. September 1, 1990. pg. 23. Published by Mediawatch, Charbury, Oxford.

Websites

[12] Lucky Show (2016) Irish American Football [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[13] American Football Ireland (2020) Shamrock Bowl Champions [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/home/american-football/shamrock-bowl-champions/ [Accessed 30 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ronan O’Brien & Paul O’Reilly

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy

for the Eirball | Irish North American & World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 21 September 2020

April 23, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football Association Preseason 2010

Irish American Football League Logo [Ref: 2]

Preseason Standings

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
IAFL North
Carrickfergus Knights
Craigavon Cowboys
Belfast Trojans
IAFL Central
Dublin Rebels
West Dublin Rhinos
Dublin City University Saints
Trinity College Dublin
IAFL South
University of Limerick Vikings	1	1	0	0	48	6	2
Cork Admirals	2	1	1	0	40	50	2
University College Dublin	1	0	1	0	2	34	0

Irish American Football League Preseason Standings 2020 [Ref: 1-2]

Preseason Results 2010

Date	Winners		Runners-Up
	Dingle Classic 2010
27.02.2010	UL Vikings	48	Cork Admirals	6
	PS Week ??
21.03.2010	University College Dublin	2	Cork Admirals	34

Irish American Football Association Preseason Results 2010 [Ref: 1]

Report

The University of Limerick Vikings beat the Cork Admirals 48-6 in a Preseason Friendly in Dingle, Co. Kerry on 27 February 2020.

References

Internet Archive

[1] UL Vikings – Wayback Machine (2010) Vikings Triumph in Dingle Classic [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20100429115055/http://www.ulvikings.ie:80/index.php/game-reports/42-game-reports-2010/69-vikings-triumph-in-dingle-classic [Accessed 27 June 2018]

Newspapers

[2] Cosgrave, Andrew (2010) “New recruits to gridiron prove its no passing fad”. Sunday Independent. March 28, 2010. pg. 63 [Past copies of the Sunday Independent are available to view online at the Irish Newspaper Archive at https://www.irishnewsarchive.com/ which is a subscription service]

Images

[3] Irish American Football Association (2010) IAFA Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/IAFA.jpg [Accessed 1 May 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Doyle, Berenice “The Wounded Bear”, Jean Dunphy and Joe Slevin.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 28 May 2020

April 23, 2020October 29, 2023

American Football Association of Ireland All-Ireland League Scoring Charts 1995

Non-Kicking Scorers

Name	Team	TD	TD Rec	TD Run	TD Misc	2XP	Safety	Total
Dennehy	Dublin Tornadoes	11	0	6	0	1	0	68
Morrell, Greg	Dublin Tornadoes	3	0	1	2	1	0	20
Grandmaison	Dublin Tornadoes	3	0	3	0	0	0	18
Woods	Carrickfergus Knights	3	0	2	1	0	0	18
Complim	Carrickfergus Knights	2	2	0	0	0	0	12
Goggins	Dublin Lightning	2	0	1	1	0	0	12
McKenny	Carrickfergus Knights	2	1	0	1	0	0	12
O’Brien	Dublin Tornadoes	2	0	2	0	0	0	12
Bell	Carrickfergus Knights	1	0	1	0	0	0	6
Byrne	Dublin Tornadoes	1	0	1	0	0	0	6
Connolly	Lurgan Area Raiders	1	1	0	0	0	0	6
McGowan	Dublin Tornadoes	1	0	1	0	0	0	6
Ward	Dublin Lightning	1	1	0	0	0	1	6
Morrell C.	Dublin Tornadoes	0	0	0	0	0	1	2
Redmond	Dublin Tornadoes	0	0	0	0	0	1	2

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Scoring Charts 1995 [Ref: Compiled from: 1-24]

Passing

Name	Team	TD Pass	2XP Pass	Total
Graham	Carrickfergus Knights	3	0	18
Blaintol	Lurgan Area Raiders	1	0	6
Goggins	Dublin Lightning	1	0	6

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Passing 1995 [Ref: Compiled from 1-24]

Report

The Above Scoring Charts are incomplete. No result has been found for three games, and another three games where the results is known, no scorers are known. Other matches are incomplete, especially Conversions / Points After Touchdowns. No Kicking Scorers are Known.

From what is known, Brian Dennehy of the Dublin Tornadoes is the Top scorer, with 68 Points, coming from 11 Touchdowns, at least 6 of which were Rushing Touchdowns, and one two-point Conversion.

Top receiver was Complim, of Carrickfergus Knights with 2 Receiving Touchdowns, from the Top Passer, Graham, who passed for three touchdowns.

Greg Morrell of the Tornadoes tops the Miscellaneous Touchdown Category with two: a 45 yard Interception Return, and a 40 yard Fumble Return, both in a game against Dublin Lightning, which the Tornadoes won 20-0.

There were three safeties.

Brian Dennehy’s Rushing undoubtedly was the major factor in Dublin Tornadoes third Shamrock Bowl success, as they beat Carrickfergus Knights 34-12 in Shamrock Bowl X, although the Final itself was a total team effort, with Grandmaison and McGowan also scoring Touchdowns.

Sources

[3] Anon (1995) Tornadoes go for three in a row. The Echo. Thursday, 21 September 1995, pg. 48.

[4] Anon (1995) Tornadoes breeze past Carrickfergus to claim third straight Irish title. First Down. 7 October 1995, pg. 21.

[5] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 29 July 1995, pg. 21.

[6] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 15 July 1995, pg. 18.

[7] Anon (1995) Irish Update – Tearaway Tornadoes. First Down. 15 July 1995, pg. 18.

[8] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 1 July 1995, pg. 21.

[9] Anon (1995) Irish League. First Down. 1 July 1995, pg. 21.

[10] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 24 June 1995, pg. 21.

[11] Anon (1995) Irish League Round-Up – Tornadoes wake up from Knight-mare performance. First Down. 24 June 1995, pg. 21.

[12] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 17 June 1995, pg. 21.

[13] Anon (1995) Irish League Round-Up – Tornadoes turn up heat. First Down. 17 June 1995, pg. 21.

[14] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 10 June 1995, pg. 21.

[15] Anon (1995) Irish League Round-Up – Graham’s Five Alive. First Down. 10 June 1995, pg. 21.

[16] Anon (1995) * The Irish League… First Down. 3 June 1995, pg. 18.

[17] Anon (1995) Standings & Fixtures – Irish League. First Down. 15 July 1995, pg. 18.

[18] Anon (1995) Tornadoes smash county rivals. The Echo. Thursday, 20 July 1995, pg. 48.

[19] Anon (1995) Tornadoes blow Lurgan away. The Echo. Thursday, 13 July 1995, pg. 48.

[20] Anon (1995) Tornadoes on the rampage. The Echo. Thursday, 15 June 1995, pg. 46.

[21] Naughton, Lindie (1995) American Football Evening Herald Thursday, June 8, 1995. Pg. 68

[22] Naughton, Lindie (1995) American Football Evening Herald Thursday, July 13, 1995. Pg. 79

[23] Naughton, Lindie (1995) American Football Evening Herald Thursday, July 27, 1995. Pg. 71

Websites:

[24] Dublin Tornadoes (1996) Irish American Football League 1995: The League Schedule ’95 / Results in ’95 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115060654/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/american_football.html#main_menu [Accessed 5 July 2017]

Internet Archive

[2] Dublin Tornadoes (1996) Irish American Football League 1995: The League Schedule ’95 / Results in ’95 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115060654/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/american_football.html#main_menu [Accessed 5 July 2017]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association, and Sean Douglas, Dublin Rebels.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 23 April 2020

April 22, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football Association Irish Senior League 1999

Irish American Football League Logo 1999 [Ref:

Final Standings

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Carrickfergus Knights	4	3	1	0	92	24	.750
*Dublin Tigers	4	3	1	0	114	34	.750
Queens University Belfast Broncos	4	0	4	0	10	158	.000

IAFA Irish Senior League 1999 [Ref: compiled from 2-7]

Playoff Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XIV		Santry, Dublin
15.08.1999	Dublin Tigers	22	Carrickfergus Knights	6

IAFA Irish Senior League 1999 [Ref:

[2]

Regular Season Results

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Week 1
1999	Carrickfergus Knights	44	Queens University Belfast Broncos	0
	Week 2
13.06.1999	Dublin Tigers	14	Carrickfergus Knights	0
	Week 3
06.1999	Queens University Belfast Broncos	10	Carrickfergus Knights	14
	Week 4
27.06.1999	Dublin Tigers	66	Queens University Broncos	0
	Week 5
30.06.1999	Carrickfergus Knights	34	Dublin Tigers	0
	Week 6
25.07.1999	Queens University Broncos	0	Dublin Tigers	34

IAFA All-Ireland American Football League Regular Season Results 1999 [Ref: 2-7]

Report

The year began with the Carrickfergus Knights starting where they left off with a shutout win over the Queens University Belfast Broncos. The Knights defense dominted the entire game., winning 34-0

In week 2, the Dublin Tigers took the initiative from the start, closing down the Knights and helped by running back Brian Dennehy. the deadlock was broken in the third quarter when Head Coach and Quarterback Don Cade dove over from the 2-yard line. Minutes later a second touchdown sealed the game for the Tigers.

In the return game between the Carrickfergus Knights and the Queeens University Broncos, the Knights were a shadow of the team that won convincingly to start the season. The Offense gave up a safety early in the game, and they were plagued by timing errors and unforced errors, but still ended up winning 14-10.

In Week 4, the Tigers scored on the opening drive through a Brian Dennehy run, and never looked back, with Dennehy scoring five touchdowns in all as the Tigers won 66-0.

The Carrickfergus Knights inflicted the heaviest defeat on the Dublin Tigers in the Tigers two year history in the return match, winning 34-0, scoring four times in the first half, but held scoreless in the second until late in the fourth quarter when Wide Receiver Maxwell ran in for their fifth.

For the second year in succession the Tigers and Carrickfergus had to be separated by points scored at the end of the regular season, as the Tigers also finished on 3-1 with a commanding performance by their entire Offensive Line, who won a combined Most Valuable Player award. the OL’s performance allowed Brian Dennehy score three touchdowns and QB Don Cade pass for a fourth. Feargal O’Donnchu won his third defensive MVP award for “outstanding leadership and superb tackling”.

With the Dublin Tigers and Carrickfergus Knights both finishing the season on level terms as in 1998, and a rematch of the Shamrock Bowl, won the previous season by Carrickfergus, the final itself proved to show the two teams evenly matched over the two seasons. The Dublin Tigers gained revenge in Shamrock Bowl XIV, winning 22-6, to win their first Shamrock Bowl.

References

Websites

[1] Irish American Football Association (2019) Shamrock Bowl Winners [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/home/kitted-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 11 August 2019]

Newspapers

[2] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers roar. Evening Herald. Saturday, 21 August 1999, pg. 111.

[3] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers maul the Knights. Evening Herald. Saturday, 19 June 1999, pg. 27.

[4] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers roar!. Evening Herald. Saturday, 3 July 1999, pg. 25.

[5] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers spring into final. Evening Herald. Saturday, 31 July 1999, pg. 24.

[6] Anon. (1999) “Factfile and Greyhound Racing: American Football” Irish Independent. Wednesday, July 21, 1999. pg. 22. [Internet] Available from: the British Newspaper Archive at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/print/bl/0001715/19990721/257/0022 [Accessed 22 April 2020]

Internet Archive

[7] Carrickfergus Knights | Wayback Machine (1999) News [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/19990824010758/http://www.sugarcube.co.uk/knight/ [Accessed 23 March 1999]

Images

[8] Eirball Facebook (2020) Photo, 6 June 2020: “Poster of Irish American Football Teams Colours 1985-1999. Given to me by Cillian Smith (IAFL Commissioner) around 1999.” [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/2226857640959926/photos/a.2235377026774654/2492486431063711/?type=3&theater [Accessed 6 June 2020][Cropped]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Michael Brophy and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 22 April 2020

Dublin Tornadoes Irish American Football Shamrock Bowl Winners 1993

April 22, 2020October 29, 2023

American Football Association of Ireland All-Ireland American Football League 1991-1997

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1991

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Dublin Celts	7	7	0	0			1.000
*Belfast Spartans	6	3	2	1			.583
Antrim Bulldogs	7	3	3	1			.500
Dublin Tornadoes	8	3	5	0			.375
Newtownabbey Warriors	5	0	5	0			.000
Craigavon Cowboys	0	0	0	0			.000

All-Ireland American Football League Standings 1991 [Ref: Compiled from 1-16]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl VI		29 September 1991
1991	Dublin Celts	66	Antrim Bulldogs	6

All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1991 [Ref: 16]

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1992

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
Mourne Conference
*Craigavon Cowboys	5	4	1	0	124	18	.800
*Antrim Bulldogs	6	4	2	0	127	16	.667
Belfast Spartans	6	4	2	0	105	59	.667
Tara Conference
*Dublin Tornadoes	6	4	2	0	81	49	.667
*Dublin Celts	6	3	3	0	77	57	.500
Drogheda Vikings	5	1	4	0	15	135	.200
Lee Valley Steelers	6	0	6	0	0	195	.000

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Standings 1992 [Ref: compiled from 19-32]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
13.09.1992	Dublin Tornadoes	6	Antrim Bulldogs	19
13.09.1992	Craigavon Cowboys	10	Dublin Celts	6
	Shamrock Bowl VII
20.09.1992	Craigavon Cowboys	14	Antrim Bulldogs	6

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1992 [Ref: compiled from 33-34]

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1993

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
12.09.1993	Dublin Tornadoes	20	Belfast Spartans	0
12.09.1993	Craigavon Cowboys	0	Dublin Celts	19
	Shamrock Bowl VII
26.09.1993	Dublin Tornadoes	19	Dublin Celts	2

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1993 [Ref: 17, 35]

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1994

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Dublin Tornadoes	6	5	1	0	128	35	.833
*Carrickfergus Knights	6	5	1	0			.833
Lurgan Area Raiders	6	2	4	0			.333
Belfast Spartans	6	0	6	0	26	112	.000

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Standings 1994 [Ref: compiled from 36-50]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl IX
1994	Dublin Tornadoes	18	Carrickfergus Knights	13

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1994 [Ref: 51-52]

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1995

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Dublin Tornadoes	8	8	0	0			1.000
*Dublin Lightning	6	4	2	0			.667
*Carrickfergus Knights	7	2	5	0			.287
*Lurgan Area Raiders	7	0	7	0			.000

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Standings 1995 [Ref: 56]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
17.09.1995	Dublin Tornadoes	60	Lurgan Area Raiders	0
17.09.1995	Dublin Lightning	L	Carrickfergus Knights	W
	Shamrock Bowl X
24.09.1995	Dublin Tornadoes	34	Carrickfergus Knights	12

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1995 [Ref: 53-54]

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League 1996

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XI
1996	Dublin Lightning	26	Dublin Tornadoes	8

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1996 [Ref: 57-58]

AFAI Irish Senior League 1997

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Playoff
07.09.1997	Dublin Bulls	14	Dublin Lightning	0
	Shamrock Bowl XII
21.09.1997	Carrickfergus Knights	21	Dublin Bulls	0

AFAI All-Ireland American Football League Playoffs 1997 [Ref: 62]

Report

In 1991 the Irish League was reunited, as the Dublin Celts rejoined after a season playing in the English second division, and the Dublin tornadoes joined them and the Irish League of American Football teams in an All-Ireland American Football League. The Carrickfergus Cougars and Coleraine Chieftains had merged as one Antrim team, the Newtownabbey Warriors. Craigavon Cowboys didn’t play that season. Dublin Celts, as expected, ran away with the League title, and then defeated Antrim Bulldogs 66-6 in Shamrock Bowl VI.

In 1992 there was again two conferences, Tara and Mourne, named after mountain ranges associated with Irish Kings, and the addition of the Lee Valley Steelers from Cork, and Drogheda Vikings, a split from the Celts, brought the league up to 7 teams again. The Cowboys also returned, but the Warriors disbanded. On opening day the A26 Bulldogs became the first Irish team to beat the Celts since 1988, and the Celts proceeded to lose their first three matches before winning their last three to make the playoffs. Conference Champions were the Dublin Tornadoes and Craigavon Cowboys, who defeated Antrim Bulldogs 14-6 to take their second or third Shamrock Bowl (there is sill dispute over who won in 1990).

The League again became one division after the Drogheda Vikings disbanded and reformed as the Ardee Falcons in a 8-v-8 Mini-League. Dublin Tornadoes and Dublin Celts met in the first ever all-Dublin Shamrock Bowl, after knocking out the Belfast Spartans and Craigavon Cowboys in the Playoffs. The Tornadoes won their first of three Shamrock Bowls, defeating the Celts in what would be their last ever game, 19-2.

1994 saw big changes to the league. New teams were the Carrickfergus Knights, a follow on from the Prospect Pumas Junior team, and the Lurgan Area Raiders (a reformed Craigavon Cowboys), but the league lost the Celts, Bulldogs and Lee Valley Steelers. The Bulldogs had lost three Bowls in four years, and the Celts had also disbanded after lack of success. The league was now just four teams, and the Dublin Tornadoes again won the Shamrock Bowl, beating the Carrickfergus Knights 18-13.

In 1995 a new team, Dublin Lightning, formed partially from old Dublin Celts and Drogheda Vikings players entered the league, but the league remained at four teams as the Belfast Spartans sat out the season. All for teams made the playoffs, and the Tornadoes won their third in a row, again defeating the Knights, 34-12.

The 1996 season saw the return of the Belfast Spartans, and the Lurgan Area Raiders, moved to Portadown, becoming the Pumas. The Dublin Lightning won their only Shamrock Bowl, defeating the Dublin Tornadoes 26-8 in Shamrock Bowl XI, in what was the last game the Tornadoes played, as another team disbanded after losing the Shamrock Bowl, with a lot of players retiring.

A new organisation, Image Management and Promotions, took over the running of the league in 1997, renaming it the Irish Senior League, like its British counterpart, and the Dublin Bulls, a new team based in Gateway Computers, joined the league, however, the Spartans had left for good, and with the loss of the Tornadoes, this left the League with four teams again. Carrickfergus Knights won the first of their Shamrock Bowls, 21-0 against the Bulls.

The new organisation was unpopular with a number of players and teams, and the Lightning dropped out, and the Greystones Rebels (who had formed in 1997 but didn’t play) also went alone, setting the scene for a dispute between the IAFA and Image Management and Promotions, which lasted until 2001.

References

Sources

[2] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes are flying”, Evening Herald. Thursday, April 18, 1991, pg. 56.

[3] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Look out for the Dublin Tornadoes”, Evening Herald. Thursday, May 9, 1991, pg. 55.

[4] Anon. (1991) “TODAY: AMERICAN FOOTBALL”, Irish Press. Saturday, May 11, 1991, pg. 46.

[5] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Spartans supreme”, Evening Herald. Thursday, May 16, 1991, pg. 62.

[6] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes all the way”, Evening Herald. Thursday, June 13, 1991, pg. 60.

[7] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Defensive Tornadoes do it”, Evening Herald. Thursday, June 27, 1991, pg. 59.

[8] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: CELTS STAY UNBEATEN”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 25, 1991, pg. 55.

[9] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tornadoes toppled!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 15, 1991, pg. 44.

[10] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: CELTS TOP LEAGUE”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 22, 1991, pg. 53.

[11] Naughton, L. (1991) “Minority Report: Tip-toe around American grid!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 26, 1991, pg. 91.

[12] Traynor, Jonathan (1991) “American Football: Clash of Titans!” Sunday Life May 28, 1991. pg. 46

[13] Anon. (1991) “Scoreboard: Gridiron” Sunday Life June 2, 1991. pg. 53

[14] Anon. (1991) “Gridiron: Antrim Dawgs go for walkies” Sunday Life June 9, 1991. pg. 41

[15] Anon. (1991) “American Football: Rows spoil Irish scene” Sunday Life July 28, 1991. pg. 43

[16] Berry, Lee (1992) “Moon Ready to Belt the Celts” First Down March 28, 1992. pg. 18 [Available on the Internet at Dublin Celts | Facebook (2019) Post to Page by Dermot Connolly September 8, 1992 “Blast from the past… clearing out the attic” [Internet] available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10219514768330762&set=pcb.975213116205143&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 5 October 1992]

[17] Lucky Show (2016) Irish American Football [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[18] Anon. (1990) Cowboys Riding High Sunday Life August 5, 1990. pg. 43

Newspapers

[19] Anon. (1992) “IRISH CHAMPION CELTS STUNG BY BULLDOG SPIRIT”, First Down. July 11, 1992, pg. 17.
[20] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 2, 1992, pg. 65
[21] Anon. (1992) “Sad Celts are Torn to shreds”, First Down. July 18, 1992, pg. 16.
[22] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Celts blown away”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 9, 1992, pg. 66
[23] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, July 16, 1992, pg. 69
[24] Anon. (1992) “Dublin Celts still winless”, First Down. July 25, 1992, pg. 19.
[25] FD Reporter. (1992) “At last! It’s the Dub-win Celts!”, First Down. August 15, 1992, pg. 17.
[26] Anon. (1992) “IRISH RESULTS”, First Down. August 29, 1992, pg. 17.
[27] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Vikings ready to invade Tallaght”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 13, 1992, pg. 66
[28] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Tornadoes ko Vikings”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 20, 1992, pg. 61
[29] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, August 27, 1992, pg. 61
[30] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 3, 1992, pg. 94
[31] Anon. (1992) “Vikings Victory”, Drogheda Independent. Friday, September 4, 1992, pg. 11
[32] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 10, 1992, pg. 70
[33] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: Gridiron grief for Dubs!”, Evening Herald. Thursday, September 17, 1992, pg. 76
[34] Naughton, L. (1992) “Minority Reports: U.S. Football”, Evening Herald. Thursday, October 8, 1992, pg. Sport 7

[35] (1993) “Tornadoes Bowl Glory”, First Down, October 9, 1993, pg. 20

[36] Carrickfergus Knights (1994) Knights American Football Club Carrickfergus Shamrock Bowl Programme. Belfast. Aldine Print

[37] Anon. (1994) Dublin Clinch Crown. First Down. 8 October1994. p. 22

[38] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 16 July 1994. p. 19

[39] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 9 July 1994. p. 19

[40] Anon. (1994) Lurgan Blank Belfast. First Down. 9 July 1994. p. 20

[41] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 2 July 1994. p. 19

[42] Anon. (1994) Scoreboard. First Down. 18 June 1994. p. 19

[43] Anon. (1994) Full Round-Up of BAFA’s Divisions Two and Three. First Down. 7 May 1994. pg. 21

[44] Anon. (1994) Chicago Knights maintain challenge. Carrick Times. 6 June 1994. pg. 60

[45] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes hit!. Evening Herald. Thursday, 21 April 1994 . pg. 54

[46] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 5 May 1994 . pg. 91

[47] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 26 May 1994 . pg. 68

[48] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes turn up the power. Evening Herald. Thursday, 28 July 1994. pg. 55

[49] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 11 August 1994. pg. 44

[50] Naughton, L. (1994) Tornadoes blow Knights away!. Evening Herald. Thursday, 25 August 1994. pg. 50

[51] Naughton, L. (1994) American Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 22 September 1994. pg.78

[52] Naughton, L. (1994) US Football. Evening Herald. Thursday, 29 September1994. pg.58

[53] Anon (1995) Tornadoes breeze past Carrickfergus to claim third straight Irish title. First Down. 7 October 1995, pg. 21.

[54] (1996) “US Football”, Evening Herald, Thursday, September 19, 1996, pg. 79

[55] Anon. (1992) “Cowboys take on Bulldogs” Sunday Life. September 20, 1992. pg. 52

Websites

[56] Dublin Tornadoes (1996) Irish American Football League 1995: The League Schedule ’95 / Results in ’95 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115060654/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/american_football.html#main_menu [Accessed 5 July 2017]

[57] Britball (2016) Shamrock Bowl Results www.britball.co.uk/history-index/ireland/shamrock-bowl-results-1986.html [Accessed 2 October 2016]

[58] Irish American Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: hhttp://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 23 March 2018]

Social Media

[59] Dublin Celts American Football Team Facebook Page (2016) Post by Kevin Sharkey, August 27, 2016 [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/groups/259540917772370/permalink/268518076874654/ [Accessed 6 June 2018]

Websites

[60] Dublin Tornadoes (1996) Irish American Football League 1995: The League Schedule ’95 / Results in ’95 [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19961115060654/http://fiachra.ucd.ie/~alan/american_football.html#main_menu [Accessed 5 July 2017]

[61] Dublin Tornadoes (1997) Shamrock Bowl [Internet] Available from: www.connect.ie/users/tornadoes/Shamrock.html [Accessed 6 April 2001]

[62] Dublin Tornadoes (1997) Irish League and Shamrock Bowl [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/19980520033318/http://connect.ie:80/users/tornadoes/Shamrock.htm [Accessed 5 July 2017]

Images

[63] Irish American Football Association (2018) Nostalgia – A look a some pictures from the archives [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_165339-1024×768.jpg [Accessed 3 July 2018]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Ralph Schmeer and Michael Brophy of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 22 April 2020

April 22, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football Association Irish American Football League 2006-2012

Irish American Football League Logo [Ref: 12]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2006

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Dublin Rebels	8	8	0	0	267	36	16
*Carrickfegus Knights	8	6	2	0	168	115	12
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	5	2	1	156	54	11
*Cork Admirals	8	4	3	1	184	107	9
Dublin Dragons	8	2	4	2	82	123	6
Belfast Bulls	8	3	5	0	142	201	6
Dublin City University Saints	8	1	7	0	125	324	2
North Dublin Marshals	8	1	7	0	129	303	2

Irish American Football League Standings 2006 [Ref: 2]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
06.08.2006	Dublin Rebels	58	Cork Admirals	22
06.08.2006	Carrickfergus Knights	25	University of Limerick Vikings	30
	Shamrock Bowl XX		Sportslink, Santry
20.08.2006	Dublin Rebels	44	University of Limerick Vikings	12

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2006 [Ref: 2]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2007

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
IAFL North
*Belfast Bulls	8	4	3	1	98	85	9
Belfast Trojans	8	3	3	2	126	110	8
Carrickfergus Knights	8	3	4	1	82	96	7
IAFL Central
*Dublin Rebels	8	7	1	0	260	50	14
Dublin Dragons	8	2	6	0	52	194	4
Dublin City University Saints	8	2	6	0	34	216	4
IAFL South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	7	1	0	299	70	14
Cork Admirals	8	6	2	0	327	70	12
Tallaght Outlaws	8	0	8	0	18	389	0

Irish American Football League Standings 2007 [Ref: 3]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Wild-Card Playoff
15.07.07	Cork Admirals	30	Belfast Trojans	0
	Semi-Finals
22.07.07	Dublin Rebels	6	Cork Admirals	8
22.07.07	University of Limerick Vikings	44	Belfast Bulls	2
	Shamrock Bowl XXI
29.07.07	University of Limerick Vikings	22	Cork Admirals	14

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2007 [Ref: 3]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2008

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
IAFL North
*Belfast Trojans	8	6	2	0	226	79	12
Carrickfergus Knights	8	3	5	0	156	193	6
Belfast Bulls	8	2	6	0	84	262	4
IAFL Central
*Dublin Rebels	8	7	1	0	301	22	14
*Dublin City University Saints	8	4	4	0	133	141	8
Dublin Rhinos	8	1	7	0	49	295	2
IAFL South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	7	1	0	286	88	14
*Cork Admirals	8	6	2	0	332	92	12
Tallaght Outlaws	8	0	8	0	0	434	0

Irish American Football League Standings 2008 [Ref: 4, 11]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Wild-Card Playoff
2008	Dublin City University Saints	2	Cork Admirals	34
	Semi-Final
27.07.2008	Belfast Trojans	8	University of Limerick Vikings	52
27.07.2008	Cork Admirals	12	Dublin Rebels	19
	Shamrock Bowl XXII
2008	Dublin Rebels	12	University of Limerick Vikings	14

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2008 [Ref: 4, 11]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2009

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Dublin Rebels	8	7	0	1	275	60	15
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	6	1	1	212	46	13
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	6	2	0	171	112	12
*Dublin City University Saints	8	3	4	1	86	182	7
Belfast Trojans	8	2	6	0	126	250	4
Cork Admirals	8	2	6	0	138	135	4
West Dublin Rhinos	8	0	7	1	54	277	1

Irish American Football League Standings 2009 [Ref: 5]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
26.07.2009	Dublin Rebels	38	Dublin City University Saints	0
26.07.2009	University of Limerick Vikings	20	Carrickfergus Knights	0
	Shamrock Bowl XXIII
09.08.2009	Dublin Rebels	6	University of Limerick Vikings	9 ot

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2008 [Ref: 5, 10]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2010

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
IAFL North
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	6	2	0			12
Craigavon Cowboys	8	4	4	0			8
Belfast Trojans	8	3	5	0			6
IAFL Central
*Dublin Rebels	8	8	0	0			16
*West Dublin Rhinos	8	3	3	2			8
Dublin City University Saints	8	2	5	1			5
Trinity College Dublin	8	2	5	1			5
IAFL South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	6	1	1			13
Cork Admirals	8	5	2	1			11
University College Dublin	8	2	6	0			4
Dublin Dragons	8	0	8	0			0

Irish American Football League Standings 2010 [Ref: 6]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Wild-Card Playoff
18.06.2010	Cork Admirals	6	West Dublin Rhinos	8
	Semi-Finals
25.06.2010	Dublin Rebels	65	West Dublin Rhinos	0
25.06.2010	University of Limerick Vikings	20	Carrickfergus Knights	0
	Shamrock Bowl XXIV
07.08.2010	Dublin Rebels	15	University of Limerick Vikings	0

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2008 [Ref: 6

IAFA Irish American Football League 2011

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
IAFL North
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	6	2	0			12
*Belfast Trojans	8	6	2	0			12
Craigavon Cowboys	8	4	4	0			8
IAFL Central
*Dublin Rebels	8	5	3	0			10
West Dublin Rhinos	8	2	6	0			4
Trinity College Dublin ###	8	3	5	0			3
IAFL South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	8	0	0			16
University College Dublin	8	4	4	0			8
Cork Admirals ##	8	2	6	0			2
Dublin Dragons	8	0	8	0			0

Irish American Football League Standings 2011 [Ref: 7]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XXV
2011	Dublin Rebels	14	University of Limerick Vikings	13

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2008 [Ref: 7]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2012

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
SBC North
*Belfast Trojans	8	8	0	0			16
*West Dublin Rhinos	8	4	4	0			8
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	2	6	0			4
Craigavon Cowboys	8	2	6	0			4
Dublin Dragons	8	0	8	0			0
SBC South
*University of Limerick Vikings	8	8	0	0			16
*Dublin Rebels	8	6	2	0			12
*Trinity College Dublin	8	6	2	0			12
University College Dublin	8	4	4	0			8
Cork Admirals	8	3	5	0			6
Tullamore Phoenix #	8	1	7	0			1

Irish American Football League Standings 2012 [Ref: 8]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Wild-Card Playoff
24.06.2012	West Dublin Rhinos	2	Carrickfergus Knights	7
17.06.2012	Dublin Rebels	28	Trinity College Dublin	6
	Semi-Finals
01.07.2012	Belfast Trojans	66	Dublin Rebels	38
01.07.2012	University of Limerick Vikings	63	Carrickfergus Knights	3
	Shamrock Bowl XXVI
14.07.2012	Belfast Trojans	16	University of Limerick Vikings	14

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2012 [Ref: 8]

Report

In 2007 the Irish American Football League began rapid expansion. For 2006 North Dublin Marshals and Dublin City University Saints were added, bringing the League up to 8 teams, the most since 1987. Dublin Rebels again won the Shamrock Bowl, defeating University of Limerick Vikings 44-12, in the first of UL’s run of seven Shamrock Bowl’s in a row,

the Marshals lasted only one season but the addition of The Tallaght Outlaws and Belfast Trojans in 2007 necessitated the creation of three divisions: North, Central and South, which were won by Belfast Bulls, Dublin Rebels and the Vikings. the University of Limerick won their first Shamrock Bowl, beating the Cor Admirals 22-14 in the showcase game.

In 2008 the IAFA added a second League, the DV8 Development League, an 8-v-8 Development League, to help new teams gain experience before joining the IAFL. The Dragons dropped down to the DV8 Development League and were replaced in the IAFL by the Dublin Rhinos. The Belfast Trojans won the IAFL North, with the Central and South divisions again going to the Rebels and Vikings, who met in Shamrock Bowl XX, the Vikings winning 14-12.

The Belfast Bulls, DCU Saints and Tallaght Outlaws all disbanded after the 2008 season, and the Dublin Dragons dropped down to the DV8 Development League, in the first contraction in a long time. The Rhinos became the West Dublin Rhinos, and the IAFL became one single division again. Dublin Rebels won the League title, although the 2009 Shamrock Bowl was to elude them as the Vikings won 9-6 in the first Shamrock Bowl to go to overtime.

The next season, 2010, saw another big expansion, with Dublin Dragons and Craigavon Cowboys making the step back up to the IAFL from the DV8 League, and they were joined by Trinity College Dublin and University College Dublin. The three divisions were won by the Carrickfergus Knights, Dublin Rebels and UL Vikings, with the Shamrock Bowl being a math-up between the Rebels and Vikings for the third year in succession, and the fourth in five years. The Rebels won out 15-0.

The DCU Saints folded before the 2011 season, with the Central and South Divisions again won by the Rebels and Vikings, although the Carrickfergus Knights showed signs of returning to their glory days by winning the IAFL North. For the fourth year in succession the Rebels and Vikings met in the Shamrock Bowl, which was a again a nail-biting, close encounter, with the Rebels winning 14-13.

For 2012 there was a new look to the League, with just two divisions; North and South, after the addition of Tullamore Phoenix from the DV8 Development League. The North Division was won by the Belfast Trojans, and the Vikings edged the Rebels in a hotly-contested South. A new team was etched onto the name of the winners roll when the Belfast Trojans beat the University of Limerick Vikings 16-14 in Shamrock Bowl XVI.

The League added a full 11-a-side IAFL 1 Conference in 2013, and IAFL 2 Conference in 2014 (levels 2 and 3) with the top level renamed the Shamrock Bowl Conference.

Shamrock Bowl XX 2006 – Dublin Rebels (Black) 44 UL Vikings (Blue) 12 [Ref: 13]

References

Websites

[2] Irish American Football Association (2006) 2006 LEAGUE TABLE, FIXTURES & RESULTS [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2006results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[3] Irish American Football Association (2007) 2007 Results [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2007results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[4] Irish American Football Association (2008) 2008 Results [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2008results.htm [Accessed 17 October 2009]

[5] Irish American Football Association (2009) 2009 IAFL Fixtures [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/2009iaflfixtures.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[6] Irish American Football Association (2010) 2010 IAFL Schedule Published [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/2010-iafl-schedule-published/ [Accessed 24 March 2014]

[7] Irish American Football Association (2011) 2011 IAFL Schedule Published [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/2011-iafl-schedule-published/ [Accessed 24 March 2014]

[8] Irish American Football Association (2014) 2012 IAFL Standings [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl-standings/ [Accessed 13 January 2014]

[9] Irish American Football Association (2016) History [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/history.htm [Accessed 26 October 2016]

[10] Irish American Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: hhttp://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 23 March 2018]

Internet Archive

[11] Dublin Rebels – Wayback Machine Internet Archive (2008) News: 2008 League Standings [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20081019054255/http://www.dublinrebels.com/news.php [Accessed 5 July 2017]

Images

[12] Irish American Football Association (2003) IAFL Logo [Internet] Available from: http://americanfootball.ie/iafl/images/logo.gif [Accessed 11 December 2017]

[13] Dublin Dragons | Wayback Machine (2007) Dublin Rebels v UL Vikings – Shamrock Bowl XX [Internet] Available from: http://web.archive.org/web/20071117040541im_/http://www.dublindragons.com/e107/e107_images/2006/Pic14.jpg [Accessed 11 November 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Tim Leadingham (Tallaght Outlaws)

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 28 December 2018

You may quote this document in part provided that proper acknowledgement is given to the authors. All Rights Resereved.

April 21, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football Association Irish League and Conference 1984-1990

IAFA Irish American Football League 1986

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl I
1990	Craigavon Cowboys	6	Dublin Celts	2

[3]

IAFA Irish American Football League 1987

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
Tara Conference
*Dublin Celts	10	10	0	0			1.000
*Craigavon Cowboys	10	8	2	0			.800
*Belfast Giants	10	7	3	0			.700
Belfast Spartans	10	4	6	0			.450
Bangor Buccaneers	10	3	7	0			.300
Jordanstown Jaguars	10	0	10	0			.000
Mourne Conference
*Belfast Blitzers	10	9	1	0			.900
Carrickfergus Cougars	10	5	5	0			.500
Dublin Tornadoes	10	5	5	0			.500
Coleraine Chieftans	10	2	8	0			.200
East Side Jets	10	2	8	0			.200

Irish American Football League 1987 [Ref: 2]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
12.09.1987	Belfast Blitzers	20	Craigavon Cowboys	28
12.09.1987	Dublin Celts	43	Belfast Giants	0
	Shamrock Bowl II
27.09.1987	Craigavon Cowboys	25	Dublin Celts	43

Irish American Football League Playoffs 1987 [Ref: 3]

IAFA Irish American Football League 1988

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
National Conference
*Belfast Blitzers	6	5	1	0	136	51	.833
*Dublin Celts	5	4	1	0	118	33	.800
*Craigavon Cowboys	6	3	3	0	80	74	.500
Dublin Tornadoes	6	1	5	0	58	123	.167
Irish Conference
*Labatt Belfast Spartans	5	3	1	1	80	99	.700
Carrickfergus Cougars	4	1	3	0	67	58	.250
Coleraine Chieftans	4	0	3	1	39	140	.125

Irish American Football League Standings 1988 [Ref: 4][Adjusted]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
14.08.1988	Belfast Blitzers	26	Craigavon Cowboys	12
14.08.1988	Dublin Celts	45	Labatt Belfast Spartans	6
	Shamrock Bowl III
21.08.1988	Belfast Blitzers	6	Dublin Celts	34

Irish American Football League Playoffs 1988 [Ref: 5-6]

Combined Gridiron League Irish Conference 1989

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
Duke Premier Division
*Dublin Celts	8	8	0	0	242	43	1.000
Belfast Spartans	8	4	4	0	113	202	.500
Craigavon Cowboys	8	3	5	0	127	160	.375
East Antrim Cougars	8	1	7	0	38	206	.125
Baron First Division
*A26 Bulldogs	8	7	1	0	88	28	.875
NI Giants	8	5	3	0	123	84	.625
Dublin Tornadoes	8	0	8	0	0	8	.000

Combined Gridiron League Irish Conference Standings 1989 [Ref: 7]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl IV
1989	Dublin Celts	7	A26 Bulldogs	6

Shamrock Bowl IV [Ref: 8]

Irish League of American Football 1990

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Finals
22.07.1990	Belfast Spartans	6	A26 Bulldogs	0
22.07.1990	Craigavon Cowboys	1	Carrickfergus Cougars	0#
	Irish League Final
11.08.1990	Craigavon Cowboys	54	Belfast Spartans	3

Irish American Football League Playoffs 1990 [Reference: 8-9]

Craigavon Cowboys met Dublin Celts in Title Game to Decide All-Ireland Champions [Ref: 8]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl V
1990	Dublin Celts	40	Craigavon Cowboys	0

Shamrock Bowl 1990 [Ref: 8]

Report

The first Irish American Football team was the Dublin Celts, formed in the Phoenix Park in 1984. With no opposition in Ireland to play against they played a couple of friendly matches against English opposition in 1985. at the same time teams were forming in Northern Ireland, although they were not fully kitted. The first match in Ireland between two Irish Teams took place in Omagh Co. Tyrone in 1985 with the Tyrone Tornadoes and Coleraine Chieftains the teams involved.

By 1986 there were enough teams to start an informal league – Belfast Blitzers won both the Irish American Football Association League and Cup, and also won the Northern Ireland American Football Association Championship, which included all the IAFA matches played between Northern Irish teams (i.e. it was a League on paper only). Other teams were the Carrickfergus Cougars, Coleraine Chieftains, Belfast Spartans and Craigavon Cowboys. Ballymena Wolfhounds played Junior only.

There was a Shamrock Bowl at the end of the season which was by invite, but the Blitzers declined to take part as they considered themselves already Champions having won both League and Cup. The Craigavon Cowboys beat the Dublin Celts 6-2 to take the first Shamrock Bowl.

By 1987 there were 11 teams playing full-contact kitted American football, with the addition of the Belfast Giants, East Side Jets, Jordanstown Jaguars, Bangor Buccaneers and Dublin Tornadoes, meaning the creation of two Conferences: Tara and Mourne, named after two mountain ranges associated with ancient Irish kings. Dublin Celts gained revenge in the Bowl, beating the Cowboys 43-25.

Two of the sides in the League, Jordanstown and East Side had disbanded by the halfway stage of the 1987 season, and in 1988, the Bangor Buccaneers moved to Newtownards, becoming the North Down Raiders, but never took part in the League that year. Belfast Giants also sat out the season. The two Conferences were renamed the National and Irish Conferences, and in Shamrock Bowl III, Dublin Celts defeated Belfast Blitzers 34-6.

By 1990, the League lost another team as the Blitzers disbanded after losing the Shamrock Bowl, but the Giants returned, now playing as the NI giants, and based in Lisburn. The League elected to play in the Combined Gridiron League, which was intended to unite the various competing leagues in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the English Regional Leagues. As well as playing in the CGL playoffs, the winners of the two Irish Conference played each other for the Shamrock Bowl, and the title of Irish Champions. Dublin Celts beat new team A26 Bulldogs, from Antrim 7-6.

The Irish League returned to independent status in 1990, but the Dublin Celts continued playing in the British Second Division (NCMMA), and the Dublin Tornadoes did not take part, leaving a five team Irish League, which was Ulster teams only. The Celts played a number of matches against the Irish teams as well as NCMMA teams, and after the Craigavon Cowboys beat the Belfast Spartans 54-3 to win the Irish League title, they met the Dublin Celts for the All-Ireland title in Shamrock Bowl V, which the Dublin Celts won 40-0

Dublin Celts Shamrock Bowl II Champions 1987 [Ref: 11]

References

Sources

[5] (1988) “Ireland” American Football News. 18 August 1988. pg.[6] (1988) “Shamrock Bowl report” American Football News. 29 September 1988. pg. 22

[6] (1988) “Shamrock Bowl report” American Football News. 29 September 1988. pg. 22

Websites

[1] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1986] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

[2] Britball Now (2016) Bangor Buccaneers [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/History/Britball%20Teams/BangorBuccaneers.htm [Accessed 23 March 2018]

[3] Britball Now (2016) Results Section [1987] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/results-section.html [Accessed 23 March 2017]

[7] Britball Now (2016) Historial League Tables [1989] [CGL] [Internet] Available from: http://www.britballnow.co.uk/history-index/historical-league-tables-in/ [Accessed 27 February 2017]

[8] Irish American Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: hhttp://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 23 March 2018]

Newspapers

[9] Anon. (1990) “American Football: Cowboys riding high..” Sunday Life August 5, 1990. pg. 43

Websites

[10] Lucky Show (2016) Irish American Football [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/Shamrock%20Bowl.htm [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[11] American Football Ireland (2020) Shamrock Bowl Champions [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/home/american-football/shamrock-bowl-champions/ [Accessed 30 April 2020]

Images

[11] Dublin Celts American Football Team | Facebook (2017) [Internet] Available from: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10213260818544676&set=gm.457477981311995&type=3&theater&ifg=1 [Accessed 21 January 2019]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to John Malone, Declan Mulvey, Gareth Quigley & John O’Reilly.

About this document

Prepared and maintained by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 21 April 2020

April 21, 2020October 29, 2023

Irish American Football League Winter and Spring League Era 1997-2005

Irish American Football Association Logo 2001-2004 [Ref: 15]

AFAI Senior League 1997

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XII
1997	Carrickfergus Knights	21	Dublin Bulls	0

Reference: [19]

AFAI Senior League 1998

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Dublin Tigers	8	6	0	2	292	106	.875
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	6	0	2	232	54	.875
*Greystones Rebels	8	4	4	0	132	124	.500
*Craigavon Cowboys	8	1	7	0	71	232	.125
Queens University Belfast Broncos	8	1	7	0	66	277	.125

Irish American Football Association Senior League Standings 1998 [Ref: 1]

Note: Teams tied on winning percentage separated by points scored

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Playoffs
16.08.1998	Dublin Tigers	30	Craigavon Cowboys	0
16.08.1998	Carrickfergus Knights	40	Greystones Rebels	0
	Shamrock Bowl XIII
30.08.1998	Dublin Tigers	14	Carrickfergus Knights	22

Irish American Football Association Senior League Playoffs 1998 [Ref: 2-4]

AFAI Senior League 1999

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pct
*Carrickfergus Knights	4	3	1	0	92	24	.750
*Dublin Tigers	4	3	1	0	114	34	.750
Queens University Belfast Broncos	4	0	4	0	10	158	.000

IAFA Irish Senior League 1999 [Ref: compiled from 5-10]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XIV		Santry, Dublin
15.08.1999	Dublin Tigers	22	Carrickfergus Knights	6

IAFA Irish Senior League 1999 [Ref: 2]

IAFL Winter League 2001

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Dublin Rebels	6	5	1	0	142	32	10
*Carrickfergus Knights	6	5	1	0	174	30	10
University of Limerick Vikings	6	1	5	0	12	177	2
Dublin Dragons	6	1	5	0	20	109	2

Irish American Football League Winter League Standings 2001 [Ref: 12]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XV
16.12.2001	Dublin Rebels	28	Carrickfergus Knights	7

Irish American Football League Winter League Playoffs 2001 [Ref; 12]

IAFL Spring League 2002

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*University of Limerick Vikings	6	5	1	0	72	64	10
*Carrickfergus Knights	6	4	2	0	167	46	8
Dublin Dragons	6	2	4	0	54	95	4
Dublin Rebels	6	1	5	0	40	128	2

Irish American Football League Spring League Standings 2002 [Ref: 13]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XVI
16.06.2002	UL Vikings	0	Carrickfergus Knights	66

Irish American Football League Spring League Playoffs 2002 [Ref: 13]

IAFL Division 1 2003

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Carrickfergus Knights	6	5	1	0	170	26	10
*Dublin Rebels	6	5	1	0	185	39	10
Cork Admirals	6	1	5	0	68	182	2
Dublin Dragons	6	1	5	0	36	212	2

Irish American Football League Division 1 Standings 2003 [Ref: 14]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Semi-Final
27.07.2003	Dublin Rebels	56	Cork Admirals	8
	Shamrock Bowl XVII
10.08.2003	Carrickfergus Knights	12	Dublin Rebels	24

Irish American Football League Division 1 Playoffs 2003 [Ref: 14]

IAFL Super League 2004

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Dublin Rebels	8	7	1	0	300	88	38
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	6	1	1	289	81	37
*Belfast Bulls	8	4	3	1	161	107	33
*Dublin Dragons	8	3	5	0	91	229	30
Cork Admirals #	8	3	5	0	124	281	27
University of Limerick Vikings	8	0	8	0	35	213	21

Irish American Football League Super League 2004 [Ref: 15]

Note: 5 Pts Win, 4 Pts Tie, 3 Pts Loss, 0 Pts Forfeit #

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XVIII
29.08.2004	Dublin Rebels	24	Carrickfergus Knights	22

Irish American Football League Super League 2004 [Ref: 15]

IAFA Irish American Football League 2005

	P	W	L	T	PF	PA	Pts
*Belfast Bulls	8	7	1	0	144	56	14
*Dublin Rebels	8	5	2	1	234	90	11
*Carrickfergus Knights	8	5	2	1	291	114	11
*Cork Admirals	8	3	5	0	174	188	6
University of Limerick Vikings	8	3	5	0	96	174	6
Dublin Dragons	8	0	8	0	8	301	0

Irish American Football League Standings 2005 [Ref: 16]

Date	Home Team		Away Team
	Shamrock Bowl XIX
28.08.2005	Belfast Bulls	19	Dublin Rebels	26

Irish American Football League Playoffs 2005 [Ref: 2]

Report

The American Football Association of Ireland had been running the All-Ireland American Football League since the reunification of the League in 1991. In 1997 a new organisation, Image Management and Promotions, under Jim Hutton, took over the running of the League. A number of teams dropped out of the League during this period, most notably Dublin Lightning, who were dissatisfied with the running of the sport.

In 1997 Carrickfergus Knights defeated new team Dublin Bulls, who were formed by Gateway Computers and had a very international feel to the team, 21-0 to win their first Shamrock Bowl.

In 1998 a new team emerged, Dublin Tigers, who were a merger of the Dublin Bulls and players who had played for the Dublin Tornadoes. Based on the Northside they tied with Carrickfergus Knights for the League title, only winning on Points Scored. Carrickfergus Knights won the Shamrock Bowl 22-14.

In 1999, two more teams left the League: Greystones Rebels and Craigavon Cowboys, leaving three teams: Carrickfergus Knights, Dublin Tigers and Queens University Belfast Broncos. Again the Tigers and Knights met in the Shamrock Bowl, with the Tigers gaining revenge 22-6.

With Queens University disbanding after the season and the Rebels and Tigers merging, there was no League in 2000, and the only match played was between the Ireland National Team and a High School from Baltimore, Maryland. A resulting Court Case involving Image Management and Promotions saw the League Organisation awarded to the Irish American Football Association, under Cillian Smith of the Dublin Lightning, with the history of the League also awarded to the IAFA.

In 2001 a new League started up in Winter, with all new teams: Carrickfergus Knights returned, and the Greystones Rebels reformed as the Dublin Rebels. They were joined by Dublin Dragons and University of Limerick Vikings, who had been Flag Football teams from 1999. Shamrock Bowl XV saw Dublin Rebels defeat the Knights 28-7.

The same four teams played in Spring 2002, with the Carrickfergus Knights winning easily in the Shamrock Bowl against a University of Limerick team shorn of their American players, who had left after the College Term had finished. The Vikings made the decision to drop down to the newly formed Division 2 (an 8-v-8 League) in 2003 to focus on developing their own players, and the Cork Admirals, who had played 8v8 challenge matches in 2002 made the step up to Division 1.

Again the Rebels and Knights met in the Shamrock Bowl in 2003, with the rebels winning 24-12 after thrashing the Cork Admirals 56-8 in the Semi-Final. For 2004 Divisions 1 and 2 were merged into one Super League of six teams, with Belfast Bulls making the step up along with the Vikings. The Craigavon Cowboys decided to continue playing 8v8 Football.

with a new 6-team League playing an expanded 8-game schedule the Irish American Football League again made the pages of the Evening Herald, and the Dublin Rebels (7-1) and Carrickfergus Knights (6-1-1) were again the teams to beat. Showing they weren’t just making up the numbers though were the Belfast Bulls and Dublin Dragons who both made the playoffs for the first time. Dublin Rebels won the closest Shamrock Bowl in a decade, beating Carrickfergus 24-22.

In 2005 the same six teams again took part, with The Belfast Bulls causing a shock, winning the League title on a 7-1 record, ahead of the Dublin Rebels and Carrickfergus Knights (both 5-2-1) with Cork Admirals also making the playoffs. Experience told in the Shamrock Bowl, however, as the Rebels defeated the Belfast team 26-19.

Dublin Rebels v Dublin Dragons, Ringsend Park, 2001 [Ref: 18]

References

Websites

[19] Dublin Tornadoes (1997) Shamrock Bowl [Internet] Available from: www.connect.ie/users/tornadoes/Shamrock.html [Accessed 6 April 2001]

[1] Carrickfergus Knights (1998) Full 1998 Results and League Table [Internet] Available from: http://www.sugarcube.co.uk/knight/Full_1998_AFAI_Results_and.htm [Accessed 23 May 2000]

[2] Irish american Football Association (2018) Shamrock Bowl History [Internet] Available from: http://www.americanfootball.ie/american-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 16 April 2018]

Newspaper

[3] Naughton, L. (1998) Tigers roar. Evening Herald. Saturday, 17 October 1998. p. 29.

[4] Naughton, L. (1998) New season. Evening Herald. Saturday, 29 May 1999. p. 25.

Websites

[5] Irish American Football Association (2019) Shamrock Bowl Winners [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/home/kitted-football/shamrock-bowl-history/ [Accessed 11 August 2019]

Newspapers

[6] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers roar. Evening Herald. Saturday, 21 August 1999, pg. 111.

[7] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers maul the Knights. Evening Herald. Saturday, 19 June 1999, pg. 27.

[8] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers roar!. Evening Herald. Saturday, 3 July 1999, pg. 25.

[9] Naughton, L. (1999) Tigers spring into final. Evening Herald. Saturday, 31 July 1999, pg. 24.

[10] Anon. (1999) “Factfile and Greyhound Racing: American Football” Irish Independent. Wednesday, July 21, 1999. pg. 22. [Internet] Available from: the British Newspaper Archive at: https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/print/bl/0001715/19990721/257/0022 [Accessed 22 April 2020]

Internet Archive

[11] Carrickfergus Knights | Wayback Machine (1999) News [Internet] Available from: https://web.archive.org/web/19990824010758/http://www.sugarcube.co.uk/knight/ [Accessed 23 March 1999]

Websites

[12] Irish American Football Association (2001) 2001 IAFL Standings & Schedule [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/2001-iafl-standings/schedule [Accessed 24 March 2014]

[13] Irish American Football Association (2002) 2002 IAFL Standings & Schedule [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/2002-iafl-standings/schedule [Accessed 24 March 2014]

[14] Irish American Football Association (2003) 2003 Results [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2003results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[15] Irish American Football Association (2004) 2004 Results [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2004results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

[16] Irish American Football Association (2005) 2005 Resuults [Internet] Available from: www.americanfootball.ie/iafl/2005results.htm [Accessed 24 September 2016]

Images

[17] Lucky Show – Irish American Football (2016) IAFA Logo [Internet] Available from: http://www.luckyshow.org/football/pics/IAFA.jpg [Accessed 5 June 2017]

[18] Irish American Football Association (2017) October 22, 2017: Nostalgia: A rare photo from the year that competitive football returned to Ireland in 2001. Dublin Rebels (black) play Dublin Dragons (burgundy) in Ringsend Park in Dublin. [Internet] Available from: https://www.americanfootball.ie/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/20171016_165519-1024×768.jpg [Accessed 21 April 2020]

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Cillian Smith, Michael Smith, Michael Brophy and Ralph Schmeer of the Irish American Football Association and Irish American Football Officials Association.

About this document

Researched, compiled and written by Enda Mulcahy for the

Eirball | Irish North American and World Sports Archive

Last Updated: 21 April 2020

Pos	Team	W	L	Pct	PF	PA	Net Pts
1	Belfast Blitzers	9	1	0.900	449	47	402
2	Dublin Tornadoes	6	4	0.600	121	164	-43
3	Carrickfergus Cougars	4	6	0.400	99	126	-27
4	Coleraine Chieftains	1	9	0.100	58	234	-176
5	East Side Jets	1	9	0.100	10	284	-274